So, the debate about whether authors can write characters of the opposite sex is one that never seems to lose interest.  It is something that gives me pause for thought sometime, especially if I’m reading a book where the character seems to be more about wish fulfilment on the part of the author – I mean, I suppose if you’re writing your own story why can’t you do that if you want, but it does make me wonder it it’s always intentional?   One of the more common arguments is that you need experience of what you’re writing about in order to do so convincingly but I’m not sure I agree with that – otherwise is Patricia Briggs a shapeshifter, has Alice Sebold been to heaven and did Tolkien ever really see a Balrog?  I think probably not.   What these authors had was a vision and the ability to write about it in a way that makes it come off the page for the reader and I think that the same goes with characters.  People have many different characteristics so simply belonging to the sex of the character you’re writing about doesn’t necessarily mean that that character will be believable any more than if you choose to write about the opposite sex – unless of course you’re just going to write a character that’s like you – after all we don’t all share the same opinions, likes, characteristics, ways of thinking, etc.

Anyway, there are many convincing arguments already written in this area, such as thinking of your character as a person and not over concentrating on the male/female aspect, but, I’m not going to dwell on these.  I thought I’d have have a look at some of those authors who I think have written successfully from the POV of the opposite sex.

Male authors writing female characters:

1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the character Mina.  
2. Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and I’m thinking Tiffany Aching in the Wee Free Men books.
3. Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn with Vin and also the Emperor’s Soul with the character Shai.
4. Philip Pullman and Lyra from His Dark Materials.
5. Tolkien and Eowyn from Lord of the Rings.

Female authors writing male characters:

1. Robin Hobb and Fitz from the Assassin’s Apprentice.
2. J K Rowling and Harry Potter – not my favourite character I agree but she based the full series on a male protagonist who we got to watch grow up.
3. Mary Shelley and Frankenstein.
4. Gillian Philip and Seth from the Rebel Angels.
5. Jane Austen and Mr Darcy, and, indeed, Mr Bennett, from Pride and Prejudice

I’m not necessarily saying that I love all these characters or that they’re my favourites but I think they are all well done.  Feel free to disagree or to add some examples of your own – it would be interesting to see if this list can be expanded on!